Chennai News: Tamil Nadu-based startup Space Zone India launched its first reusable hybrid rocket, Mission RHUMI-2024, on Saturday. The rocket, which took off from a mobile platform at Thiruvidanthai along the scenic East Coast Road near Chennai, is part of the company's ongoing efforts to advance research on global warming and climate change.
Space Zone India, headquartered in Chennai, has been working on various projects under the Mission RHUMI initiative for the past two years, as reported by PTI.
Mission Rhumi 2024
Mission RHUMI has garnered attention as the world's first mobile launch of a hybrid rocket.
The 3.5-meter tall rocket, powered by a hybrid motor that uses generic fuel and an electrically triggered parachute deployer, was launched at 7:25 AM, slightly delayed from its original schedule due to weather conditions. The rocket reached an altitude of approximately 35 kilometers before beginning its descent, as planned for its recovery and reuse.
"It is more of a sounding rocket. It flew to an altitude of about 35 kilometers, and my team is now collecting it as per our plan," Anand Megalingam, Founder-CEO of Space Zone India, told PTI. He explained that due to heavy winds, the rocket was launched at a 70-degree inclination instead of the planned 89-degree inclination, adjusting to the environmental challenges from the mobile launch pad.
The rocket, named after Megalingam's son Rhumithran, carried three CUBE satellites designed to monitor and collect data on various atmospheric conditions, including cosmic radiation intensity, UV radiation, and air quality. Additionally, it deployed 50 Pico satellites to study a range of environmental parameters, such as accelerometer readings, altitude, and ozone levels, aiming to deepen understanding of atmospheric dynamics.
"India is rapidly emerging as a global leader in space innovation, consistently launching groundbreaking missions that push the boundaries of what is possible," Megalingam remarked. "As our nation continues to advance in this crucial sector, the need for sustainable and cost-effective solutions becomes more pressing. Mission RHUMI 2024 is a direct response to this need," he said.
Mylswamy Annadurai, renowned as the "Moon Man of India" for his role as Project Director of India's Moon Mission Chandrayaan, serves as a mentor for Space Zone India, further underscoring the startup's commitment to pioneering space technology.